A hospital at the centre of a long-running row over the future of its children's heart services has suspended all congenital cardiac surgery on youngsters over questions about mortality rates.

Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) said the temporary measure was being taken to allow a internal review to take place.

The review is expected to take about three weeks and families whose surgery may be affected are being contacted.

The decision was made on Thursday following meetings between senior officials at NHS England and the Care Quality Commission, as well as bosses from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

NHS England said the suspension was for checks to be made to ensure the unit is operating safely. Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of NHS England, said: "The trust has taken a highly responsible precautionary step.

"Some questions have been raised by the trust's own mortality data and by other information. It is important to understand that while this information raises questions, it does not give us answers. But it is absolutely right not to take any risks while these matters are being looked into."

Maggie Boyle, chief executive of the trust, said last night: "Following discussions earlier today with senior representatives from NHS England and the Care Quality Commission the trust has agreed to carry out an internal review, independently validated and supported by external experts.

"This will look at all aspects of congenital cardiac surgery for children undertaken at the unit in Leeds. We have taken the decision to temporarily pause children's congenital cardiac surgery and associated interventions while this review is conducted, a process we would aim to complete in around three weeks."

Ms Boyle said: "We apologise to parents and families who will be affected during this time, and can assure them we always put the safety of our patients first. Families whose surgery may be affected during this time are being contacted directly by the trust."

Stuart Andrew, MP for the Pudsey area of Leeds, questioned the concerns. He told the BBC: "If there are issues then absolutely we must investigate them and make sure that we have got the very safest standards."